DIY Plywood 4 wheeler rack. Has anyone done this?

[Randall53]

My 4 wheeler is a 450 Grizzly which is a mid size vehicle. I'm wanting some more room (not a lot, just 3 more inches on each side) on the rear rack and I'm thinking about making a removable bolt on piece of 1/2" plywood for the back rack and drilling a few holes around the outside edge for tying things on.....like deer LOL. The small buck I got during muzzleloader season made me think of this. A larger deer would be very hard to get on the existing rack. I am aware of the leverage this would put on the back, but I could still tie one on towards the front. SO.......that being said, has anyone done this? If so, how did it work out? If you have time sometime and could post a pic, that would be great. 

[gregintenn]

Tie a rope around the deer's head and to the back of your 4 wheeler and drag it. Much easier than wrestling it up on a 4 wheeler rack.

[Randall53]

That would work for some of the smaller valley leases, but I hunt on a 1800 acre mountain lease and sometimes I'm a couple of miles from my truck. That would pretty much ruin the meat dragging it along a rock, gravel and rutted road for that distance. I've figured out how to get it up there. pretty easy, just need some more room.

[Omega]

1/2" might be too thin, if you go with plywood I would go with at least 3/4".  The dragging part might be a good idea though, specially if steep inclines are involved.  I have a skedco I used to use, it should protect the deer from any drag damage, even at that distance.  Skedcos are pricey,  but they make ones just for deer: https://www.amazon.com/Magnum-Deer-Sleighr-Game-Sled/dp/B001CJI7XA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1480012329&sr=8-1&keywords=Deer+Drag+Sleds

[Hozzie]

I would build a small frame out of steel angle iron (like 1x1) and then use 3/8 plywood.  It should be lighter than 3/4 plywood and plenty strong to hold a deer out past the wheel wells.  You could even put some hinges on it and fold it over itself when you are not using it on the way out to keep the width of your 4 wheeler down.

 

Something like this.  Not to scale obviously.  Put hinges where blue lines are.

Edited November 24, 2016 by Hozzie

[Randall53]

6 hours ago, Hozzie said:

I would build a small frame out of steel angle iron (like 1x1) and then use 3/8 plywood.  It should be lighter than 3/4 plywood and plenty strong to hold a deer out past the wheel wells.  You could even put some hinges on it and fold it over itself when you are not using it on the way out to keep the width of your 4 wheeler down.

 

Something like this.  Not to scale obviously.  Put hinges where blue lines are.

I think that is what I need Hozzie. Cheap and easy to make also. I may just give that a try. Thanks and thanks for all the comments. 

[peejman]

If you don't have access to a welder for the angle iron, you can build a frame with iron pipe and attach plywood to that. 

[Randall53]

I finally got time to make something......here are some pics. Total cost was about $25. It's easy to remove, but actually pretty sturdy. It's actually not near as wide as it looks in the pic. it overhangs my 4 wheeler by about 4" on each side is all.

 

Edited December 21, 2016 by Randall53

[Ronald_55]

1 hour ago, Randall53 said:

I finally got time to make something......here are some pics. Total cost was about $25. It's easy to remove, but actually pretty sturdy. It's actually not near as wide as it looks in the pic. it overhangs my 4 wheeler by about 4" on each side is all.

 

Great work! I bet you could add outside stake pockets now and make simple sideboards if you wanted to haul supplies or such around. Would be great to haul the chainsaw and gear around if trimming out trails in the summer.

[Randall53]

23 minutes ago, Ronald_55 said:

Great work! I bet you could add outside stake pockets now and make simple sideboards if you wanted to haul supplies or such around. Would be great to haul the chainsaw and gear around if trimming out trails in the summer.

Good idea! I intend to do some trail making later on. I hadn't really thought about it, but I'll be adding something like that for sure.

[Ronald_55]

31 minutes ago, Randall53 said:

Good idea! I intend to do some trail making later on. I hadn't really thought about it, but I'll be adding something like that for sure.

I am full of ideas and every once in a while one is actually good. Lol

 

Did you build a steel frame for below the pkywood?

If you don't want heavy sideboards you could make the stake pockets out of 2 hole conduit straps. Drill a hole in the middle to secure a section of conduit in place when you slide it in from the top. 

I am in NE TN, if you are close, I might still have some short lengths of conduit lying around. Maybe 2 foot sections. I will have to look. That would save you a little cost.

[Randall53]

10 hours ago, Ronald_55 said:

I am full of ideas and every once in a while one is actually good. Lol

 

Did you build a steel frame for below the pkywood?

If you don't want heavy sideboards you could make the stake pockets out of 2 hole conduit straps. Drill a hole in the middle to secure a section of conduit in place when you slide it in from the top. 

I am in NE TN, if you are close, I might still have some short lengths of conduit lying around. Maybe 2 foot sections. I will have to look. That would save you a little cost.

The plywood i used for the deck is 4'x2'. I supported the outside edges and back with an 8' two by fours one 4' and 2 are 2'. I screwed the plywood down to those. It's supported with 4 large black tie wraps from harbor freight. I have extras in my atv bag in case one break, but I'm surprised how solid it is. I can stand on it with no problem. The rack takes the weight. The tie wraps just keeps it from sliding in any direction. I'm going to add the rails for sure. Thanks for the idea 

[Randall53]

I live in SE TN, so I'm not close at all, but being an old 'Letrician, I do have conduit and straps....but thanks anyway. 

[Ronald_55]

1 hour ago, Randall53 said:

I live in SE TN, so I'm not close at all, but being an old 'Letrician, I do have conduit and straps....but thanks anyway. 

Not a prob, thought you might get more use out of them than the recycling center. I think thye are headed that way if I ever get a free day to pack stuff up. Maybe I will make a dollar or 2 more than I spend on gas. lol